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ABOUT US

at Avanti Women

Become a member and register for free to start your professional network today! Register Now

Who We Are

We are about empowering women to develop themselves professionally and personally. We represent women at the various stages of life and bring networking and learning to the community in which you live and work.

As a member of Avanti Women you will have access to our three core services:

1 We host and organize networking events for women to connect and network.

2 We provide women the gift of giving back and bridge inspiring women to collaborate and mentor together.

3 We offer the opportunity to cultivate and learn via online learning through Harvard Business Publishing and attend in-person workshops in the community in which you live and work.

What We Do

Avanti Women’s vision is to empower women to move forward professionally and personally. That is why we have made the membership gratis (that’s right - complimentary) and you only pay for the services you want.

Our mission is to empower women to move forward in their professional and personal development through networking, mentoring and learning.

Our pay as you go service format is flexible and provides resources for women who are determined to move ahead!

The unique difference about Avanti Women is that is offers various topics for women who are at different stages in their professional and personal life. You may choose one or select them all. Our three core services include:

Connect and Network

We host and organize networking events for women that promote meeting and learning from other great women within your industry.

Collaborate and Mentor

Through our customized one-on-one mentoring program.

Cultivate and Learn

Personal and professional learning via online and/or in-person.

Become a member and register for free to apply the recipe of success for YOU, today!

Our Team

Dina Barazza

Founder

(416) 817-3347

Toronto

Dina Barazza is the founder of Avanti Women, a membership based association that empowers women to move forward professionally and personally in their development through networking events, mentoring programs and virtual soft skills training workshops. She is also the founder of The Talent Consortium, a consulting practice specializing in human resources. Mrs. Barazza brings creative human resources and learning solutions to enhance people, process and performance. She is an energetic, results-orientated and strategic in her approach with more than 20 years experience in organizational effectiveness, learning, education, sales and marketing and human resources. She is exceptional facilitator who engages her participants in understanding key concepts and applying them in a work and team environment.

Dina’s academic background includes a degree in Business Management, a diploma in Human Resources Administration and a certificate in Training and Development. She is certified as an Achieve Global Trainer and graduated from the Disney Institute with Business and Management Effectiveness. She has held various Board positions with the AMA – American Marketing Association, Toronto Chapter as their VP of Talent and currently is a Board Member with the Canadian Community of Corporate Educators and The Coalition for Persons with Disabilities.

Fun Facts

In her spare time, Dina is a Canadian Cancer volunteer where she dedicates her time canvassing communities since 1998 and fosters homeless dogs.

Alison White

Advisory Council - Sales and Master Mentor

Coming soon!

Sandy Watt

Advisory Council - Community Partnerships and Corporate Sponsorships

416-919-5840

Toronto

I am excited to be part of the amazing Avanti Women team! Professional Sandy is an experienced brand builder, natural relationship creator and unique marketing communications leader. Personal Sandy is rewarded by her lifelong exposure to sport and coaching through YMCA camp, Track 3 downhill ski association (teaching special needs children), as a Board Member with the Broad Reach Sailing Foundation for youth-at-risk, as an equestrian competitor, and downhill ski instructor and FIS racing volunteer. Looking forward to meeting for coffee and sharing my Starbuck’s name!

Kate Atkinson

Advisory Council - Governance

Coming soon

Maria Greaves

Advisory Council - Volunteers

coming soon

Trisha Richards

Communications - Blogger

416-721-4101

Mississauga

Forever curious and self-motivated, Trisha Richards is a multiple award-winning business communicator, writer and marketer with a fun, creative flair. Beginning her career as a freelance trade magazine journalist in 2005, she recently spent 10 years as the communications specialist for one of the world's largest brand experience companies. Today, she provides business writing and communication services to corporations, nonprofits and small businesses on a contractual basis through her company Write Reaction. An avid volunteer, she is passionate about helping to tell the stories of the charities and associations that are dear to her heart.

Nikolina Kvesic

Blogger

coming soon!

Suesie Love

Learning Resource

416-892-4232

Mississauga

Suesie Love spent 15years as a trainer at a marketing company providing technical training for many different CPG clients. Supported by a great technical division, she learned many skills including the ability to quickly understand software, master basic skills and document the learning. Suesie is a process person who thinks like a project manager!

A lifelong learner Suesie Loves the energy of a new launch, and start ups. She pairs new information with patterns from previous experience to learn something new everyday. Recently Suesie used her skills to create processes and documentation for a local food bank, training volunteers so the administrative function of the food bank could run smoothly while volunteers concentrated on assisting clients. She also runs a Women’s Group at the food bank, creating community and support for a vulnerable population. “That’s why I am so attracted to Avanti Women and the energy of the volunteers to support women and provide resources.”

Fun Fact

Suesie became a gym rat later in life, inspired by her athletic daughters and husband, and loves the outdoors. When inside, she loves to knit!